Reel Horror News Roundup: August 11 - August 16, 2025

BREAKING: Local Teen Meets Fiery End; Authorities Puzzled

Vinnie Manalo, a local teen with a flair for trouble, was found dead after an unusual and… explosive incident involving a road flare. 

Eyewitnesses report the flare made direct contact with his mouth; in fact, stuffed in his mouth. Some admit to being slightly amused at the over-the-top nature of the accident.

Manalo, who had been last seen quipping about “handling any situation with style,” clearly took his dramatic tendencies a bit too far. Authorities are investigating, though locals say this one’s going to be hard to top in town lore.

🎞️ Based on Friday the 13th: A New Beginning; the deadly flare scene that made Vinnie unforgettable.

Max Minghella Joins DC’s Clayface Horror Reboot

Max Minghella is in talks to join the cast of DC Studios' upcoming Clayface film, directed by James Watkins (Speak No Evil) and written by Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House). The movie explores the tragic transformation of Matt Hagen, an actor whose face is disfigured by a gangster, leading him to seek help from a fringe scientist, portrayed by Naomi Ackie. Minghella is rumored to play Detective John, a Gotham City detective dating Ackie's character. The film is scheduled for release on September 11, 2026.

Read the full story at The Hollywood Reporter.

Weapons Prequel in Development

Following the unexpected success of Weapons, director Zach Cregger is in early discussions with Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema about a prequel focusing on the enigmatic Aunt Gladys, portrayed by Amy Madigan. The original film featured a chapter dedicated to her backstory, which was ultimately cut to maintain pacing. With the film's success, there's renewed interest in exploring her origins. While no official deals have been made, the concept is gaining traction.

Cregger is currently preparing for the release of his Resident Evil reboot, slated for September 18, 2026. Given his commitments, any potential Weapons prequel would likely be a future project.

Read the full story on The Hollywood Reporter.

Vicious Starring Dakota Fanning to Premiere on Paramount+

Dakota Fanning stars in Vicious, a psychological horror film directed by Bryan Bertino (The Strangers). The film follows Polly (Fanning), who receives a mysterious wooden box from a late-night visitor. Inside, she finds instructions to place three items: something she needs, something she hates, and something she loves. This seemingly simple task spirals into a nightmarish ordeal that threatens her reality. 

Vicious will have its world premiere at Fantastic Fest in September 2025 and will be available for streaming on Paramount+ and digital platforms starting October 10, 2025.

Check out the poster at The Hollywood Reporter.

The Haunted Forest Slashes Its Way into FrightFest

Keith Boynton's latest horror feature, The Haunted Forest, is set to have its world premiere at London's FrightFest on August 24, 2025. The film follows Zach, a horror-movie obsessive who takes a job as a scare actor at the legendary Haunted Forest. What begins as a dream job turns nightmarish when a fellow employee is found dead, and Zach realizes the terror may be all too real. Filmed at Markoff's Haunted Forest, the longest scare trail in America, the film offers a meta-horror experience. The cast includes Grayson Gwaze, Kaitlyn Lunardi, Cedric Gegel, and Meghan Reed. Produced by Cassie D'Agostino and Mashka Wolfe, with SFX by Paul Brubacher (The Jester), The Haunted Forest promises to be a standout at this year's festival.

Check out the trailer here.